Peach tree named ‘Ivory May’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms between the early and mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the latter part of May, with first picking on May 20, 2011. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, a balance of acid and sugar in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘IVORY MAY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘IvoryMay’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 2003 as a first generationcross using an unnamed white flesh clingstone peach designated by codenumber ‘32P462’ as the selected seed parent and an unnamed yellow fleshclingstone peach designated by code number ‘53P100’ as the selectedpollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered that spring, and theseeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown asseedlings on their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy theseedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of myexperimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County(San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2006 Iselected the present variety as a single tree from the group ofseedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the presentvariety of peach tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and graftingin the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction ofplant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in allrespects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety wascompatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘32P462’ (unpatented)peach, by producing peaches that are medium in size, clingstone in type,white in flesh color, somewhat acidic in flavor, and mostly red in skincolor, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that isfirmer and that matures about thirty days earlier.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘53P100’(unpatented) peach, by producing peaches that are firm, clingstone intype, and mostly red in skin color, but is distinguished therefrom byproducing fruit that is melting instead of non-melting in texture, thatis larger in size, and that is white instead of yellow in flesh color.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Ivory Duchess’ peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 17,282) by producing fruit that is white in flesh color, mostlyred in skin color, and clingstone in type, but is distinguishedtherefrom by having reniform instead of globose leaf glands and byproducing fruit that is somewhat acidic in flavor instead of sub-acidic,that is smaller in size, and that matures about fifteen days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thevariety blooms between the early and mid season and requires about 550chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in the latter part of May, with first picking on May 20, 2011.The fruit is uniformly medium in size, a balance of acid and sugar inflavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting intexture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, a young tip shoot, and typicalleaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on May 25, 2011, on the original tree during itseighth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘32P462’ (unpatented) peach.-   Pollen parent: ‘53P100’ (unpatented) peach.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 9′ [2.74 m.] and a    spread of 7′ [2.13 m.] after eight growing seasons utilizing typical    dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 550 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 5½″ [139.7 mm.]            after the eighth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium to shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Moderate brown            [58. m.Br] variegation with a few Light yellowish brown [76.            l.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color:            Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average Size: ⅛″ [3.2            mm.] to 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of main scaffold is 3¾″ [95.3 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 1¼″ [31.8 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: A Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] and            Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 80 on second year            wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average            size: 1/64″ [0.4 mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second year            wood. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5½″ [139.7 mm.]. Average            Width: 1 7/16″ [36.5 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 50 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow            green [117. s.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43.            m.rBr] with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Alternately            positioned on petiole and base of blade. Size: Medium. Form:            Reniform. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming            Strong yellow green [117. s.YG] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically 11/16″ [17.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2 3/16″ [55.6 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, extra petal fragments are            occasionally observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light            purplish pink [249. l.pPk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Deep orange [51. deep O] over a Light yellow            [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer            surface.        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.        -   Average pistil length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Early to medium, three days after ‘Ice            Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,974) peach.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 23, 2011.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 6, 2011.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, May 25, 2011.-   Date of first picking: May 20, 2011.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 3, 2011.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2⅝″ [66.7 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅞″ [73 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—5.6 ounces [158.7 grams].-   Form: Globose, some are slightly asymmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round.        -   Axial view.—Round.-   Suture: Extends from the base, along the side, to the pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A line in a shallow groove.        -   Along the side.—A line in a shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A line in a shallow groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the base and apex on both    sides.-   Lips: Unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on    one side, Pale yellow green [121. p.YG] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Breadth.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel the suture    plane.-   Apex: Rounded, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture plane.-   Pistil point: Oblique, very short, depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] over a Light orange yellow [70.            l.OY].        -   Down.—Medium, rolls up when rubbed.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Yellowish white [92. yWhite].        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Light yellow green [119.            l.YG] fibers.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, melting.        -   Fibers.—Fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Earlier toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—A tasty balance of acid and sugar, typically 12 to            14 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oblong.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Acute with an average angle of 60 degrees.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward the    base.-   Ridges: Rounded.-   External color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Cavity surface color: Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]-   Average width: ¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Average length: 1 3/16″ [30.2 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅝″ [15.9 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Very slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Ivory Duchess’ peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,282) by producing fruit that is white in fleshcolor, mostly red in skin color, and clingstone in type, but isdistinguished therefrom by having reniform instead of globose leafglands and by producing fruit that is somewhat acidic in flavor insteadof sub-acidic, that is smaller in size, and that matures about fifteendays earlier.